Claudio Aprile has just announced that he is closing the highly acclaimed Colborne Lane. “I feel that I’ve said everything I’ve had to say with this restaurant,” Aprile tells us. “It’s time for me to focus on different projects. It just feels right.”
Kensington Brewing Company’s second beer, Baldwin FishEYE-PA, needs a bit of explaining. The name refers to the densely packed row of fishmongers on Baldwin Street, around the corner from the brewery’s current home at 156 Augusta. The brewery’s Michael Gurr says: “For us, it’s about finding a connection to the neighbourhood around us through the names of our beers.”
By lindsaylow
Editor’s note: Patria now has exterior signage, which it did not have at the time that this article was written. How do you make something cool? Restaurants play the no sign game. If it has no sign, only cool people know where it is. Which is why we walk by Patria three times before asking … Continued
Boutique Bar has been teasing the Church Street coterie with its martinis for almost three years now. The swish spot is outfitted with plenty of nouveau rococo pieces, while an electric fireplace next to the bar adds a touch of warmth. Co-owner Julien Salomone has crafted an extensive cocktail menu that’s ideal for an after-work tipple.
This is one of my favourite South African producers, with an almost unpronounceable name. This wine is straw-coloured with a minerally pear nose. It offers good weight on the palate with well-defined pear and quince flavours.
On one of my first dates with Chef, he brought over a bottle of wine for us to share while watching a movie. To me, the date went fine, but apparently (as I only recently learned) I had in fact committed something of a deal breaker on that date.
Last week’s First Draught focused on a Belgian-style saison from an Ontario brewery. This week, for contrast, and to demonstrate the diversity of Belgian brewing traditions, we have a beer from Brasserie Caracole in Belgium, one that’s made in the quite different Belgian strong ale style.
Valentine’s Day is upon us. And although we’re not wont to get particularly sappy, the occasion is a perfect excuse to sip on a pretty pink cocktail — with a bit of a kick to it, of course.
You’re more likely to find this style of wine in Northern Italy or Alsace — a dry Muscat. Straw coloured, the wine has a gorgeous perfume of freshly crushed grapes and cardamom with tangerine notes. Full-bodied and rich on the palate, it has the immediate suggestion of sweetness but finishes with a linger, dry flavour.
After opening in the east end in late 2009, Rooster Coffee House quickly became a neighborhood institution. And now, just over three years later, owners Shawn Andrews and Dave Watson are opening a second location at 333 King Street East.
New breweries seem to sprout up in groups. The once-dry Junction now has two; new ones are opening in Muskoka and now Niagara has a few. Last November, Oast House joined Silversmith Brewing Company in the growing club of breweries in Niagara-on-the-Lake. The Farmhouse Saison is a notable selection from Oast House’s small portfolio of beers.
Enoteca Sociale may have taken the city by storm last year with a particular kale salad, but there’s much more to the place than leafy greens. Currently the enoteca is serving its answer to Winterlicious: a set dinner menu based on a glorious round of parmigiano reggiano that’s been aged for six years.
